San Bernardino Sheriff's Deputies Warn Of Sexual Predator

HIGHLAND (CBSLA.com) — San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies are on the hunt for a sexual predator they say tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities said the attempted abduction occurred in Highland, near Sterling Avenue and Baseline Streets.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Greg Mills said the suspect tried to pull the girl into a van but she was able to pull away.

Mills spoke to concerned parents, including Martiza Beasley, a Highland resident. "It's scary to know there are people out here going around and doing this to kids."

She added, "It's kinda scary in this area."

Mills said the attempted abduction took place around 3:30.

The man allegedly surprised the girl from behind.

Something reportedly spooked the man, he let the girl go and jumped back into his van.

The unidentified girl attends a charter school a few blocks away from the crime scene.

She was on her way home from school at the time of the incident.

"Beasley added, "I have a daughter who goes to this school and she always tries to walk and I don't allow that to happen."

Mills spoke to the school's principal. He sent a note home. The note said the attempted abduction was the second involving a young girl in the area. The first happened in Colton.

Cindy Bachman, of the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department believes, "This may be a case of the same suspect, just in a different city."

Bachman noted that in each incident, "there is a similar suspect description and suspect vehicle description."

Officials are trying to piece together a better description. The suspect reportedly wore something over his face to disguise his features. They fell short of calling it a mask.

For now, Mills says, all deputies can do is advise kids in the area to never walk alone and try to walk with an adult.